Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today asked security forces to always keep themselves prepared against the onslaught of forces inimical to India as the country is striving to grow and become a USD 5 trillion economy in the next few years.
He said as India takes confident steps to be a stronger world economy, it is expected that anti-India forces will attempt to target "delicate and sensitive places" in the country.
"India is one among the 10 big economic powers of the world. Indian economy is fast progressing and it is expected the economy of the country will balloon from two trillion dollars to USD 5 trillion, a fact forecast by leading international analysts.
"Those inimical to us don't like this and, therefore, they plot to attack soft targets such as our strategic assets and vital installations," he said while addressing CISF personnel during their 47th Raising Day here.
The forces inimical to India, he said, will try to weaken out strategic and economic power at a time liberalisation, globalisation and modernisation is on progress in the country and across the globe.
He added these developments were happening very fast.
Categorising the scourge of terrorism as the "biggest challenge" for not only India but also the world, Singh said cyber crime and terrorism perpetrated through this domain and are the "biggest dangers" to the world.
"The other face of terrorism is cyber crime. It is increasing rapidly. Cyber terrorists can hit any country sitting at any remote location of the world. These terrorists also target important installations and institutions by digital ways. We should understand this fact," he said.
The Home Minister said security forces like CISF are "partners" in the economic security of the country and hence, in the backdrop of these developments, their "responsibility" also increases towards the nation.
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The Minister asked the Central Industrial Security Force, tasked with guarding vital assets like airports, Delhi Metro and installations in nuclear and aerospace sectors to enhance its "core competence" in counter-terrorism and cyber warfare.
While he praised the overall duties rendered by the force in the past, he exhorted it to keep conducting frequent security audits of the locations it is deployed at.
Talking about enhancing the representation of women in central paramilitary forces, Singh said he has directed all these forces to increase the number of women in their respective establishments and bring that to 33 per cent of the total strength.
He expressed pleasure on the issue of 'consultancy services' which the force is giving to 126 organisations in security and fire-fighting fields. CISF earned Rs 7 crore last year through consultancy services.
During the event, CISF Director General Surender Singh said the force is constantly reviewing its training and standard operating procedures in order to effectively tackle challenges.
The 1.42 lakh personnel-strong force was raised in 1969.
